Rajadom of Kashmir, Constitution I

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Preamble

In the name of Waheguru, the Formless, the Immortal, the Sightless,

  • to organize the national life of Kashmir according to the requirements of the times and on the basis of the realities of national history and culture;
  • to achieve justice and equality;
  • to establish political, economic and social democracy;
  • to organize the functions of the State and its branches;
  • to ensure liberty and welfare of the individual and the maintenance of the general order; *to achieve a balanced development of all phases of life in Kashmir; and
  • to form, ultimately, a prosperous and progressive society based on social cooperation and preservation of human dignity;
  • we, the People of Kashmir, conscious of the historical changes which have occurred in our life as a nation and as a part of human society, while considering the above mentioned values to be the right of all human societies, have, under the leadership of His Majesty, the King of Kashmir and the leader of its national life, have framed this constitution for ourselves and the generations to come.

Title One – The State

  • Art. 1
    • Kashmir is a constitutional monarchy; an independent, unitary and indivisible State. Sovereignty in Kashmir belongs to the nation. The Kashmiri nation is composed of all those individuals who possess the citizenship of the State of Kashmir in accordance with the provisions of the law. The word Kashmiri shall apply to each such individual.
  • Art. 2
    • Sikhism is the religion of Kashmir. Non-Sikh citizens shall be free to perform their rituals within the limits determined by laws for public decency and public peace.
  • Art. 3
    • Kashmiri shall be the official languages.
  • Art. 4
    • The flag of Kashmir is
  • Art. 5
    • The capital of Kashmir is Srinigar.

Amendment:

Title Two - The King

  • Art. 6
    • In Kashmir the King personifies the sovereignty.
  • Art. 7
    • The King is the protector of the basic principles of the religion of Sikhism, the guardian of Kashmir's independence and territorial integrity, the custodian of its constitution and the center of its national unity.
  • Art. 8
    • The King shall be a Kashmiri national and a Sikh.
  • Art. 9
  • The King has the following rights and duties:
  1. He holds supreme command of the armed forces of Kashmir,
  2. He declares war and armistice,
  3. He summons and inaugurates the loya jirga (great council),
  4. He inaugurates the ordinary session of the Parliament,
  5. He summons and inaugurates the extraordinary sessions of the Parliament,
  6. He dissolves the Parliament and decrees new elections, which shall be held within three months from the date of the dissolution of the Parliament,
  7. He signs laws and proclaims their enforcement,
  8. He issues ordinances,
  9. He grants credentials for conclusion of international treaties, in accordance with the provisions of the law,
  10. He signs international treaties,
  11. He appoints the Prime Minister and accepts his resignation. appoints ministers on the recommendation of the Prime Minister and accepts their resignations,
  12. He appoints the non-elected members of the Legislative Council and appoints its President from amongst its members,
  13. He appoints the Chief Justice and justices of the Supreme Court,
  14. He appoints judges and high ranKing civil and military officials and grants them retirement in accordance with the provisions of the law,
  15. He accredits the heads of Kashmir's diplomatic missions to foreign States;,
  16. He appoints permanent representatives of Kashmir to international organizations and accepts the credentials of foreign diplomatic representatives.
  17. He proclaims and ends the State of emergency,
  18. He remits and pardons sentences.
  • Art. 10
    • Coin is minted and postage stamps are printed in the name of the King.
  • Art. 11
    • The royal expenditures shall be fixed in the State budget according to the law of the royal expenses.
  • Art. 12
    • The exercise of rights and duties described under this title shall be subject to the limits prescribed by the provisions of this constitution.
  • Art. 13
    • The King is not accountable and shall be respected by all.
    • He takes the following oath in the presence of the members of the royal family, the members of the Government and the justices of the Supreme Court, in a joint sitting of both Houses of the Parliament. “In the name of Waheguru, the Formless, the Immortal, the Sightless, I shall protect the sacred principles of the Sikh Faith, shall guard the constitution, shall protect the independence and territorial integrity of the country as well as the laws of the State and the rights of the people; and, invoKing divine assistance, shall reign in accordance with the provisions of this constitution of Kashmir and devote my efforts to the well being and progress of the Kashmiri nation.”
  • Art. 14
    • The succession to the throne of Kashmir shall continue in the House of His Majesty Gulab Singh in accordance with the provisions of this constitution.
  • Art. 15
    • Should the King resolve to abdicate, he shall inform a council consisting of the President of the Legislative Assembly, the President of the Legislative Council, the Prime Minister, the Chief Justice and the Minister of the Royal Court and announce therein his abdication in person or through the minister of court.
  • Art. 16
    • On the King's abdication or death, the throne shall pass to his eldest son. If the eldest son of the King lacks the qualifications set forth in this constitution, the throne shall pass on to his second son and so on.
  • Art. 17
    • Whenever the King abdicates or dies without a son possessing the qualifications to become the King, the throne shall pass on to the oldest of the King's brothers.
    • Should the oldest of the King's brothers lacks the qualifications needed, the throne shall pass on to the second brother in line and so on.
    • If the King does not have a brother possessing the qualifications required to be King, his successor shall be elected from amongst the male lineal descendants of His Majesty Gulab Singh. In this case the King shall be elected by an electoral college consisting of the (great council), the Government, and the justices of the Supreme Court.
    • This electoral college shall be summoned by the Prime Minister, in the case of the death of the King, within fifteen days from the date of the demise and, in the case of abdication, within seven days from the date when the King's abdication becomes effective.
    • The decision of this electoral college shall be by a majority of votes of the members present and shall be considered effective upon the consent of the person chosen as the King.
  • Art. 18
    • The King shall, when he decides to travel out of the country, appoint one or more persons to act as his regent or regents.
    • This person or persons shall, during the absence of the King and on his behalf, discharge the royal functions in accordance with the provisions of this constitution and within the limits of the authority delegated to him or them by the King.
    • The following persons shall not be appointed as regent:
      • the Prime Minister
      • the President of the Legislative Assembly
      • the President of the Legislative Council
      • the Chief Justice
  • Art. 19
    • Should the King die before his successor has completed twenty years, the Queen shall act as regent until his successor reaches the stipulated age. Should the Queen not be living, the electoral college, provided under Article 17 of this constitution, shall elect someone from amongst the male lineal descendants of His Majesty Gulab Singh, to act as regent.
  • Art. 20
    • Whenever the King abdicates and his successor has not completed twenty years, the electoral college, provided under Article 17 shall elect someone from amongst the male lineal descendants of His Majesty Gulab Siingh to act as regent until the successor reaches the stipulated age.
  • Art. 21
    • The regent of the King must possess the qualifications specified in Article 8. The regent shall perform the royal functions in accordance with the provisions of this constitution.
    • Should the Queen be acting as regent, the exercise of the authority described in section two of Article 9, shall take place with the advice of the Government. The regent, during the tenure of his office, may not engage in any other profession.
    • The person elected as regent by virtue of Articles 21 and 22 of this constitution shall never be elected as the King of Kashmir. During the period of regency, the provisions relating to succession under the title 'King' of this constitution shall not be amended.
  • Art. 22
    • The Royal House is composed of the sons, the daughters, the brothers and the sisters of the King and their husbands, wives, sons and daughters; and the paternal uncles and the sons of the paternal uncles of the King.
    • In the official protocol of the State, the Royal House comes after the King and the Queen.
    • The expenditure of the Royal House shall be fixed in the budget of the royal expenses.
    • Titles of nobility are exclusively confined to the Royal House and shall be assigned in accordance with the provisions of the law.
    • Members of the Royal House shall not participate in political parties and shall not hold the following offices:
      • Prime Minister or Minister,
      • Member of the Parliament, or
      • Justice of the Supreme Court.
    • Members of the Royal House shall maintain their status as members of the royal House as long as they live.

Title Three – The Basic Rights and Duties of the People

  • Art. 23
    • The People of Kashmir, without any discrimination or preference, have equal rights and obligations before the law.
  • Art. 24
    • Liberty is the natural right of the human being. This right has no limitations except the liberty of others and the public interest as defined by the law.
    • The liberty and dignity of the human being are inviolable and inalienable. The State has the duty to respect and protect the liberty and dignity of the individual.
    • No deed is considered a crime except by virtue of a law in force before its commission.
    • No one may be punished except by the order of a competent court rendered after an open trial held in the presence of the accused.
    • No one may be punished except under the provisions of a law that has come into effect before the commission of the offense with which the accused is charged.
    • No one may be pursued or arrested except in accordance with the provisions of the law. No one may be detained except on order of a competent court, in accordance with the provisions of the law.
    • Innocence is the original state; the accused is considered to be innocent unless found guilty by a final judgment of a court of law.
    • Crime is a personal deed. Pursuit, arrest or detention of the accused and the execution of sentence against him does not affect any other person.
    • Torturing a human being is not permissible. No one may torture or issue orders to torture a person even for the sake of discovering facts, even if the person involved is under pursuit, arrest or detention or is condemned to a sentence
    • Imposing punishment incompatible with human dignity is not permissible.
    • A statement obtained from an accused or any other person by compulsion is not valid. **Confession of a crime means the admission made by an accused willingly and in full possession of his senses before a competent court with regard to the commission of a crime legally attributed to him.
    • Every person has the right to appoint defense counsel for the removal of a charge legally attributed to him.
    • Indebtedness of one to another may not cause deprivation or curtailment of the liberty of the debtor.The ways and means of recovering debt shall be specified in the law.
    • Every Kashmiri is entitled to travel within the territory of the State and settle anywhere except in areas prohibited by the law.
    • Similarly, every Kashmiri has a right to travel outside of Kashmir and return to Kashmir according to the provisions of the law.
    • No Kashmiri shall be sentenced to banishment from Kashmir or within its territory.
    • No Kashmiri accused of a crime can be extradited to a foreign state.
  • Art. 25
    • A person's residence is inviolable. No one, including the State, may enter or search a residence without the permission of the resident or the orders of a competent court and in accordance with the conditions and procedure specified by the law.
    • In cases of witnessed crimes the responsible officer can enter or search the residence of a person without the permission of the resident or the prior writ of the court on his personal responsibility.
    • The officer is bound to get the order of the court within the time limit set by the law after his entry into the House or its search.
  • Art. 26
    • Property is inviolable. No one's property may be confiscated except in accordance with the provision of the law and the decision of a competent court.
    • Expropriation is allowed only for securing public interest, against an advance equitable compensation, in accordance with the provisions of the law.
    • No one shall be prohibited from acquiring property and exercising the right of ownership of the same, within the limitations of the law.
    • The ways of utilizing property shall be regulated and guided by the law, for securing the public interest.
    • Investigations and declarations of a person's property can be made only in accordance with the provisions of the law.
    • Foreign States and nationals are not entitled to own immovable property in Kashmir. Subject to the approval of the Government, immovable property may be sold to the diplomatic missions of foreign States on a reciprocal basis and also to those international organization of which Kashmir is a member.
  • Art. 27
    • The freedom and secrecy of people's communications, whether by writing, telephone, telegraph or other medium, are inviolable.
    • The State has no right to search personal communications except by the order of a competent court and in accordance with the provisions of the law.
    • In urgent cases, defined by the law, the official responsible may search communications on his responsibilities, without the prior permission of the court. The official concurrently is bound to obtain, after the search, the decision of the court within the time limit set under the law.
  • Art. 28
    • Freedom of thought and expression is inviolable.
    • Every Kashmiri has the right to express his thoughts in speech, in writing, in pictures and by other means, in accordance with the provisions of the law. Every Kashmiri has the right to print and publish ideas in accordance with the provisions of the law, without submission in advance to the authorities of the State.
    • The permission to establish and own public printing Houses and to issue publications is granted only to the citizens and the State of Kashmir, in accordance with the provisions of the law.
    • The establishment and operation of public radio transmission and telecasting is the exclusive right of the State.
  • Art. 29
    • Kashmiri citizens have the right to assemble unarmed, without prior permission of the State, for the achievement of legitimate and peaceful purposes, in accordance with the provisions of the law.
    • Kashmiri citizens have the right to establish, in accordance with the provisions of the law, associations for the realization of material or spiritual purposes.

Kashmiri citizens have the right to form political parties, in accordance with the terms of the law, provided that:

  1. the aims and activities of the party and the ideas nf which the organization of the party is based are not opposed to the values embodied in this constitution.
  2. the organization and financial resources of the party are open.
  3. a party formed in accordance with the provisions of the law cannot be dissolved without due process of the law and the order of the Supreme Court.
  • Art. 30
    • Anyone who, without due cause, suffers damage from the administration is entitled to compensation and may file a suit in a court for its recovery. The State may not, except in cases specified by the law, resort to the recovery of its dues without the order of a competent court.
  • Art. 31
    • Education is the right of every Kashmiri and shall be provided free of charge by the State and citizens of Kashmir.
    • The aim of the State is to reach a stage where suitable facilities for education will be made available to all Kashmiris, in accordance with the provisions of the law.
    • The Government is obliged to prepare and implement a program for balanced and universal education in Kashmir. It is the duty of the State to guide and supervise education.
    • Primary education is compulsory for all children in areas where facilities for this purpose are provided by the State. The State alone has the right and duty to establish and administer the institutions of public and higher learning.
    • Outside this sphere, Kashmiri nationals are entitled to establish technical and literacy schools. Conditions for the establishment of such schools, their curricula and the conditions of learning in such schools are to be determined by law. The Government may grant permission, in accordance with the provisions of the law, to foreign persons to establish private schools for the exclusive use of foreigners.
  • Art. 32
    • It is the duty of the State to prepare and implement an effective program for the development and strengthening of the national language.
  • Art. 33
    • It is the duty of the State to provide, within the limits of its means, balanced facilities for the prevention and treatment of diseases for all Kashmiris. The will of the State in this regard is to reach a stage where suitable medical facilities will be made available to all Kashmiris.
  • Art. 34
    • Work is the right and precept of every Kashmiri who has the capability to do it.
    • The main purpose of laws designed to systematize labor is to reach a stage where the rights and interests of all categories of laborers are protected, suitable conditions of work are provided and the relations between the workers and employers are organized on a just and progressive basis.
    • The citizens of Kashmir are admitted to the service of the State on the basis of their qualifications and in accordance with the provisions of the law.
    • Work and trade may be freely chosen, within the conditions determined by the law. **Forced labor, even for the benefit of the State is not permissible. The prohibition of forced labor shall not be so construed as to affect the implementation of the laws governing the organization of collective work for the public interest.
  • Art. 35
    • Every Kashmiri is bound to pay tax and duty to the State. No duty or tax of any kind shall be levied without the provisions of the law.
    • The rate of tax and duty as well as the method of payment shall be determined by law with consideration for social justice.
    • The provisions of this Art. are applicable to foreign persons as well.
  • Art. 36
    • It is the sacred duty of all citizens of Kashmir to defend their country. All citizens of Kashmir are bound to perform military service in accordance with the provisions of the law.
  • Art. 37
    • t is the duty of all the People of Kashmir to follow the provisions of the constitution; to bear loyalty to the King and respect him; to obey laws; to have due consideration for public order and piece; to protect the interests of the homeland and to participate in the nations life.

Title Four – The Parliament

  • Art. 38
    • The Parliament in Kashmir manifests the will of the people and represents the whole of the nation. The People of Kashmir participate through the Parliament in the political life of the country. Although elected from a particular constituency each member of the Parliament shall at the time of expressing his opinion, take the general interest of the whole of Kashmir as the basis for his judgment.
  • Art. 39
    • The Parliament consists of two Houses:
      • The Legislative Assembly
      • The Legislative Council
  • Art. 40
    • Members of the Legislative Assembly shall be elected by the People of Kashmir in a free, universal, secret and direct election, in accordance with the provisions of the law.
    • For this purpose Kashmir shall be divided into electoral constituencies, the number and limits of which are fixed by the law.
  • Each constituency shall return one member.
  • The candidate who obtains the largest number of votes cast in his constituency, in accordance with the provisions of the law, shall be recognized as the representative of that constituency.
  • Art. 41
    • Members of the Legislative Assembly shall be elected for a period of four years, which is one term of the legislature.
    • Whenever the Parliament is dissolved, in accordance with the provisions of the constitution, a new Legislative Assembly shall be elected for another legislative term.

However, the termination date of the outgoing House is so regulated that the ensuing session of the Legislative Assembly commences on the date stipulated in Art. 55.

  • Art. 42
    • Members of the Legislative Council shall be nominated and elected as follows:
    • one-third of the members shall be appointed by the King for a period of five years from amongst well informed and experienced persons.
    • the remaining two-thirds of the members shall be elected as follows:
      • each Provincial Council shall elect one of its members to the Legislative Council for a period of three years.
      • the residents of each province shall elect one person for a period of four years by a free, universal, secret and direct election.
  • Art. 43
    • Qualifications for voters shall be specified in the electoral law. persons appointed or elected for membership in the Parliament must meet the following requirements in addition to their qualifications as voters:
      • must have acquired Kashmiri nationality at least ten years prior to the date of nomination or election.
      • must not have been punished by a court with deprivation of political rights after the promulgation of this constitution.
      • must be able to read and write Kashmiri.
      • members of the Legislative Assembly must have completed the age of 25 at the time of the election and those of the Legislative Council the age of 30 at the time of their nomination or election.
  • Art. 44
    • The head and members of the Government, judges, officers and members of the armed forces, officials and other personnel of the administration cannot be appointed or elected to the Parliament while they are in service.
  • Art. 45
    • No person can be a member of both Houses simultaneously.
  • Art. 46
    • Elections shall be governed by the electoral law subject to the provisions of the constitution. No bill to amend the electoral law may be entertained on the agenda of either House of the Parliament during the last two years of the legislative term of the Legislative Assembly.
  • Art. 46
    • Documents of membership are authenticated in each House by the House itself. The procedure of authentication shall be specified in the rules of procedure of the House concerned.
  • Art. 47
    • No legal proceedings can be brought against a member of the Parliament for expressing an opinion or idea while performing his duty inside or outside the Parliament.
    • Whenever a member of the Parliament is accused of an offense, the official responsible shall communicate the matter to the House of which the accused is a member. The legal proceedings against the accused shall be initiated when the House votes its approval by a two-thirds majority of its members. Tthe House can also rescind its permission by a two-thirds majority vote of its members.
    • In the case of a witnessed crime the official responsible can start legal proceedings and arrest a member of the Parliament without the permission of the House to which he belongs. Whenever legal proceedings demand the detention of the accused in accordance with the provisions of the law, the official responsible is bound to communicate the matter immediately to the House concerned, and with its permission, may detain the accused. Should the accusation occur during the period when the House is not in session, permission for detention shall be obtained from the Executive Council of the House. the decision of the Executive Council shall be placed before the House at its next session for appropriate action.
  • Art. 48
    • Members of the Parliament cannot undertake any other profession. This rule does not apply to agriculture and other free enterprises.
  • Art. 49
    • Suitable salaries shall be fixed in accordance with the law for members of Parliament.
  • Art. 50
    • Every member of Parliament is entitled to express his views on the subject of debate in his House, in accordance with the rules of procedure.
  • Art. 51
    • The two Houses meet separately but at the same time. The Legislative Council may hold extraordinary sessions to study the budget proposals of the State during the time when the Legislative Assembly is adjourned.
    • A joint session of the two Houses of Parliament is held when the King inaugurates the new Parliament or addresses the annual session of the Parliament.
  • Art. 52
    • The members of the Government may attend the meetings of both Houses of Parliament.
    • Each House may demand the presence of the head or members of the Government at its meetings.
  • Art. 53
    • Debates in both Houses are open except when the Government, the President of the House or at least ten members request a secret session, and the House grants its approval. The House may, with a two-thirds majority of the members, convene secret proceedings into open debate. The proceedings of both Houses of Parliament are recorded.
    • Nobody may enter the meeting place of the Parliament by force. violators shall be punished according to the law.
  • Art. 54
    • Except in cases clearly defined in this constitution, decisions in each House shall be made by a majority vote of the members present.
  • Art. 55
    • Each House of Parliament holds one ordinary session per year, which opens on the???. The number of annual sessions can be increased by law. In such cases the law shall regulate the opening date of the session and its duration.
    • The working period of each House of Parliament is seven months per year. This period may be extended by each House according to the requirements of its business.
    • During the recess period, an extraordinary session of Parliament may be summoned by the King or on a request by the Government, the President of one of the Houses, or by one-fifth of its members.The extraordinary session of Parliament ends by a royal decree issued after consultation with the Presidents of both Houses.
  • Art. 56
    • The President of the Legislative Council is appointed from amongst its members by the King. The Legislative Assembly elects one of its members as President of the House. Each House elects from amongst its members one First Deputy President, one Second Deputy President, one Secretary and one Deputy Secretary.
    • The aforementioned persons constitute the Executive Council of the House.
    • The Executive Council of the Legislative Assembly is elected at the opening of the legislative term while the Vice Presidents, Secretary and Deputy Secretary of the Legislative Council are elected for one year at the beginning of each annual session.
    • The President of each House conducts debates in the House concerned and adopts necessary measures for the maintenance of law and order on the premises of the House. Other duties of the President are defined in the rules of procedure for the House.
    • In the absence of the President, the First Deputy President, and in the absence of the First Deputy President, the Second Deputy President officiates as President. The Secretary of the House records the proceedings of the House and supervises the functions of its secretariat. In the absence of the Secretary, the Deputy Secretary discharges the duties of the Secretary.
  • Art. 57
    • Each House appoints, in accordance with its rules of procedure, committees for maKing thorough and detailed study of the subjects under consideration.
  • Art. 58
    • Each House formulates its own rules of procedure.
  • Art. 59
    • The Parliament may be dissolved by order of the King. The dissolution of the Parliament is imperative under the conditions described in Art. 121. The dissolution of the Parliament encompasses the non-elected members of the Legislative Council.
  • Art. 60
    • The Parliament legislates for organizing the affairs of the country in accordance with the provisions of this constitution.
    • There shall be no law repugnant to the basic principles of the religion of Sikhism and the other values embodied in this constitution.
    • The ratification of international treaties, the dispatch abroad of detachments of Kashmiri armed forces, the grant of concessions important to the national economy including monopolies, and the authorization to issue money and obtain loans are within the competence of the Parliament.
    • Concessions which are to be ratified by the Parliament shall be defined by the law.
  • Art. 61
    • The Government is responsible to the Legislative Assembly.
  • Art. 62
    • The members of the Legislative Assembly may put questions to the Government. Debate on the Government explanation depends upon the decision of the House.
  • Art. 63
    • The members of the Parliament may ask questions from the Prime Minister or the Ministers about specific subjects. Persons thus asked are bound to furnish a verbal or written answer. This answer shall not be made the subject of debate.
  • Art. 64
    • The Legislative Assembly is competent to appoint, on proposal from one-third of its members, an enquiry commission to investigate and study the conduct of the Government and the actions of the administration. The composition of the enquiry commission and its method of functioning shall be defined in the rules of procedure of the House.
  • Art. 65
    • Excepting the conditions for which specific provisions have been made in this constitution, a law is a resolution passed by both Houses and signed by the King.
  • Art. 66
    • A legislative bill may be introduced to the Parliament by the Government or the members of the Parliament. Bills relating to judicial administration may also be introduced by the Supreme Court. Bills relating to budgetary and financial legislation may only originate from the Government.
  • Art. 67
    • A legislative bill may to introduced to either of the two Houses by the Government or the Supreme Court.
  • Art. 68
    • When a bill is introduced by members of one of the two Houses, it is placed on the agenda of the House only after it is supported by at least ten members of the House concerned. A bill which involves new financial commitments or a reduction in State revenue may be placed on the agenda of either House on condition that the bill provides for the sources of financing for the compensation of the loss. This provision does not apply to bills introduced by the Supreme Court.
  • Art. 69
    • When a bill is placed on the agenda of either of the two Houses, it is first referred to the committee concerned, and after it has been commented upon by the committee, the bill is read in the House along with the comments of the committee, and debated upon, followed by voting on each article. After this the draft is read for the second time and put before the House for rejection or approval as a whole.
  • Art. 70
    • When an enactment of one House is rejected by the other, a joint committee consisting of an equal number of members from both Houses is set up, in accordance with the provisions of the law, to settle the differences. The verdict of the committee becomes effective after it receives the Royal Assent.
    • When the joint committee fails to resolve the differences, the enactment is considered invalid.
    • If the enactment is from the Legislative Assembly, it may be approved again by a majority of votes during the next term of legislation. The enactment, without reference to the Legislative Council, then becomes law after it is signed by the King.
    • When the differences between the two Houses of the Parliament relate to financial bills and are not resolved by the joint committee, the Legislative Assembly may move the bill again in the following session and approve it by a majority vote. This enactment, without reference to the Legislative Council, becomes law after it is signed by the King.
  • Art. 71
    • The State budget is presented to the Legislative Assembly through the Legislative Council together with their advisory comments.
    • The President of the Legislative Assembly refers the budget proposal, along with the comments of the Legislative Council, to the committee concerned.
    • Afterwards, the budget proposal, together with the comments of the Legislative Council and of the committee concerned, are presented to the House for consideration and decision.
    • This decision is not submitted to the Legislative Council and becomes effective after it is signed by the King.
    • This provision also applies to discussions on the development plans of the Government in the Legislative Assembly.
    • Whenever for any reason the passage of the budget does not materialize before the beginning of the new fiscal year, the budget of the previous year is applicable until the new budget is adopted.
    • The Government is bound to submit to the Legislative Assembly final accounts of the budget of the previous year at least one month before the submission of the new budget.
  • Art. 72
    • When the Legislative Council does not give its decision on an enactment referred to it by the Legislative Assembly within six months from the date of its receipt, the enactment is considered to have been adopted.
    • In calculating this time, the period of adjournment is not taken into account.
  • Art. 73
    • During adjournment or dissolution of the Parliament the Government may formulate ordnances for regulating urgent matters in respect to paragraph one of Art. 64.
    • These ordinances shall become law after being signed by the King.
    • The ordinances shall be submitted to the Parliament within thirty days of the first meeting of the Parliament. If rejected the ordinances shall become invalid.